Marineford's massive Gates of Justice slowly groaned open, revealing the path to the heart of military power. From the churning vortex of the ocean current, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's flagship surged forth like a triumphant steel behemoth, its bow cleaving through the waves with undeniable authority.
The crescent-shaped harbor was already packed to the brim with people. Under the scorching sun, the formation of thousands of elite Marines created a vast, shimmering expanse of white uniforms.
"It is finally here! Fleet Admiral Sengoku's warship is docking!"
"Is it true that Mr. Cain is actually on board?"
"I heard a rumor that he is only nineteen years old! Nineteen! When I was that age, I was still polishing my commanding officer's boots at a small East Blue branch!"
The buzz of discussion swelled across the docks like a physical heatwave. At the very front of the crowd, three figures stood side by side. Their auras were completely different from one another, yet each man was equally tall and impossible for the crowd to ignore.
"So scary~"
Borsalino pursed his lips and adjusted his amber sunglasses. His tone carried his signature hint of mockery and sarcasm.
"He just goes out for a simple training exercise and ends up crippling the Golden Lion... How did Cain manage to do that? It really makes me look like I haven't been putting in any effort at all~"
"You never put in any effort to begin with, Borsalino."
Kuzan scratched his head of messy black curls. His gaze was complex as he looked towards the approaching warship.
"But... this is honestly too much. The gap in talent between people is deeper than an ocean trench. What a hassle this is going to be..."
"Hmph!"
A cold snort cut off the two who were about to continue their complaining. Sakazuki crossed his arms tightly, the shadow from his cap obscuring his expression. Only his eyes remained visible, fixed unwaveringly on the approaching bow of the ship. His fists clenched audibly inside his leather gloves, and the skin on his arms began to glow with a faint, dark, molten red hue.
Was it jealousy? No. It was the raw excitement of finally finding a worthy opponent, mixed with an intense anxiety over his own still insufficient strength.
"Cain..."
Sakazuki muttered the name to himself. The corners of his tense mouth twisted into a ferocious, predatory grin.
"Only a man like this is qualified to shoulder Absolute Justice alongside me!"
As the warship docked and the heavy gangplank was lowered, Sengoku and Garp stepped out first. The mere appearance of these two legends instantly silenced the noisy port. But immediately after they passed, everyone's gaze shifted, focusing entirely on the young figure slowly descending behind them.
Cain was not wearing a standard Marine uniform. He simply wore a slightly oversized coat of justice draped over his shoulders. He was bare-chested, boldly displaying a physique of supremely honed muscle to the entire base. Under the bright sunlight, those well-defined muscles radiated an explosive sense of power.
His steps were steady and rhythmic, each one seeming to land perfectly on the collective heartbeat of the crowd. He showed not a single hint of stage fright. Instead, he carried a casual, relaxed air that bordered on arrogance. Halfway down the gangplank, he even raised his hand with great nonchalance and waved to the fervent Marines gathered below.
This small gesture instantly ignited the entire scene into a frenzy.
"Yah! Mr. Cain waved in this direction!!"
"Oh my god! He is actually smiling at me! Look at those muscles... I think I am going to faint!"
"He is so handsome! Is this truly the man who defeated the Golden Lion? That level of confidence... I am dead!"
A group of usually valiant female Marine soldiers could not help but scream, their eyes burning with pure fanaticism. Cain descended the gangplank, completely ignoring the surrounding clamor, and walked directly up to the Monster Trio.
"Yo, you three."
Cain grinned, looking at his classmates and their varied expressions.
"What is wrong? Don't you recognize me after only a few days? Sakazuki, why does your face still look so sour?"
"Shut up."
Sakazuki replied coldly. But the very next second, his large hand slammed heavily onto Cain's shoulder in a gesture of respect.
"I am glad you are not dead."
Though it was only six short words, the recognition in his tone carried more weight than any formal praise.
"Cain~"
Borsalino leaned in closer. His face, which was often hard to read as either loyal or treacherous, was now filled with genuine curiosity.
"How much treasure was actually on the Golden Lion's fleet? Did you bring us any souvenirs from the fight?"
"Get lost, get lost. What treasure? There was nothing but a ship full of stinking pirate corpses."
Cain waved him away dismissively, then subtly lowered his voice to a volume only the four of them could hear.
"However... I did manage to snag a couple of bottles of very good wine. The usual spot tonight?"
Kuzan's eyes instantly lit up, and all of his usual laziness vanished in a heartbeat.
"Now that is more like it!"
Borsalino adjusted his glasses, a lewd grin spreading across his face.
"Oh~ That is just... too corrupt of you. I like it very much."
Even Sakazuki, though he let out a sharp snort, did not refuse the invitation. Just then, a messenger soldier ran up to them, panting for breath. Upon seeing Cain, he immediately snapped to attention and gave a crisp salute.
"Report! Sir... Cain!"
The messenger's address had already unconsciously shifted to an honorific.
"Fleet Admiral Kong has ordered you to report to his office immediately!"
Twenty minutes later, on the top floor of the Headquarters building, the redwood door symbolizing the Navy's highest authority was pushed open. Inside the massive office, thick smoke hung in the air. Aside from Garp, who was noisily devouring senbei crackers, Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku, and Chief Instructor Zephyr—four of the biggest shots in the world—sat upright. Six pairs of eyes shone like powerful searchlights upon Cain.
The invisible pressure in the room was enough to suffocate an ordinary officer. But Cain just calmly brushed some dust off his coat, walked to the center of the room, snapped to attention, and saluted perfectly.
"Elite Training Camp, First Class Cadet, Cain, reporting!"
"How is your physical condition?"
Kong, seated in the main position, spoke first. His voice was deep and resonant, filling the entire office.
"Report, Fleet Admiral! Aside from still feeling like I might cough up blood and the massive headache from Haki exhaustion, I feel excellent! I am ready to go out and take down two more great pirates at any time!"
Cain answered loudly. This half-serious, half-joking remark actually served to ease the tense atmosphere in the room. Zephyr looked at his most accomplished student, his eyes full of hidden pride, but he feigned sternness with a loud snort.
"Enough of your nonsense! Do you even know what a mess you have stirred up this time? Intervening in a Yonko-level battlefield without any orders... are you tired of living?"
"Instructor Zephyr, a general in the field is not bound by orders from home."
Cain lowered his hand, his gaze appearing clear and sincere to the officers.
"Given the situation at the time, if I had not acted, once the Golden Lion and Roger escaped, the seas would know no peace for the next twenty years. For the sake of justice, what does my life matter?"
His words were righteous and awe-inspiring. In reality, Cain was thinking to himself: If I had not gotten there early, who would I have gotten my 800,000 discipline points from?
Fleet Admiral Kong nodded with deep satisfaction. He stood up and walked around the large desk, holding a black velvet box in his hands. At that moment, Sengoku's hand, which was adjusting his glasses, froze in place. Garp also stopped chewing and put down his senbei. The atmosphere in the room grew incredibly solemn.
"Cain, your achievements have been verified by Headquarters and the World Government."
Kong walked up to Cain, his gaze intense and focused.
"Although your time in service is very short and your experience is limited, in this chaotic era, the Navy needs heroes. Justice needs a standard-bearer."
"Upon the recommendation of Headquarters, and with special approval from the Gorosei..."
Kong opened the box. A shoulder insignia gleaming with a golden luster lay inside. On it was unmistakably a single Admiral Star!
"You are hereby appointed as a Rear Admiral of the Navy Headquarters!"
A nineteen-year-old Rear Admiral! This was absolutely a promotion speed that shattered every historical record in the Navy. Cain looked at the Admiral Star, his pupils contracting slightly.
It was finally happening. This was not just a rise in social status, but also the unlocking of major privileges. Being a Rear Admiral meant having his own independent warship, his own personal guard unit, and his own independent operational funding account. This meant that in the future, even if he dined and wined on public funds, or even skimmed a little bit off the top from confiscated pirate treasure, he would have a legitimate operational space to hide it!
"What is wrong? Are you not satisfied?"
Fleet Admiral Kong raised an eyebrow, seeing Cain's dazed expression.
"No!"
Cain suddenly looked up. In that moment, he was possessed by the spirit of an Oscar-winning actor. His eyes grew slightly red and his lips trembled, as if he were overwhelmed by an immense sense of honor. His hands shook as he accepted the Admiral Star, his voice sounding choked yet firm.
"I... am humbled! But I will never retreat!"
"This Admiral Star is not just an honor; it is a heavy responsibility! It is the bloody, tearful entrustment of the civilians who have died tragically at the hands of pirates!"
"I request!"
Cain suddenly saluted again, roaring at the top of his lungs.
"Grant me the highest level of operational autonomy! I do not wish to sit in a boring office drinking tea! I want to lead a crew to sea! I want to go to the most dangerous waters! I want to clean up the trash that exists... also for the sake of justice!"
"Good!"
Fleet Admiral Kong was deeply moved by this impassioned declaration. He waved his hand grandly.
"Granted! Headquarters will allocate you a brand new-model warship. Personnel selection is entirely up to you! As for funding..."
Kong paused for a moment.
"...it is specially approved at double the standard rate!"
Cain brought his heels together, saluted again, and roared loudly. His eyes were already shimmering with moved tears of joy.
"I will spare no effort for the sake of justice! I will not shirk my duty!"
Fleet Admiral Kong looked at his excited state and nodded with total satisfaction.
"Excellent! Tomorrow, Headquarters will hold a formal medal ceremony for you!"
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